AI's Increasing Strategic Importance With Governments

Many governments are seeing strategic value in artificial intelligence and are looking to incorporate machine learning and cognitive technologies to help deliver effective citizen services. Both local and national governments see AI as an economic driver but it will also have an impact on the workforce. With governments having the ability to leverage advanced intelligent technologies to enhance government services many current struggles of governments, such as budget and resource contracts, can be addressed.

Public sector coming together to address AI

AI World Government, taking place in Washington, DC June 24-26, brings together thought leaders in the public sector around the globe who are applying artificial intelligence, machine learning and cognitive technologies to a wide range of applications in the government sphere. This event is meant to educate and inform public sector agencies on the strategic and tactical benefits of deploying AI and cognitive technologies. It will also address real-world challenges governments face, and regulations and ethics that need to be taken into consideration as we we move forward with these cognitive technologies.

Over the course of three days there are many incredible seminars, talks, and panels planned. On Monday June 24 the event kicks off with a half day seminar on Machine Learning and Deep Learning for the public sector which plans to address a wide range of topics such as the seven patterns of AI, a panel on the state of the practice of intelligent automation in government, and the myths, realities, & future of AI.

On Tuesday June 25, there will be a panel to discuss how governments of all sizes can get started and move forward with AI while navigating regulations and policy objectives. Attendees can also interact with a panel on how NASA is using Intelligent Automation and AI as well as how AI can be used for Smart Cities.

Ethical considerations to AI

Some people have concerns about the impacts of artificial intelligence on society, the workforce, and how it will change the daily lives of citizens. No AI conference focused on the public sector would be complete if it did not address the ethical considerations AI will have on society going forward. One of the core issues at the center of AI adoption is how to ensure that these cognitive technologies are deployed and used responsibly. Right now there are no global standards around how businesses and governments use AI or ethical or regulatory laws in place to police on a global scale.

Marc Rotenberg, President and Executive Director, Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) will discuss establishing ethics standards for data use by AI and possible regulations. Lord Tim Clement-Jones, Former Chair of the UK’s House of Lords Select Committee for Artificial Intelligence and Chair of Council, Queen Mary University of London will be on a panel to discuss how big data shapes – and is shaped by – economics, regulation, and services. Many efforts are underway throughout government, standards development organizations and research to develop an AI ethics standards framework. A panel will also focus on steps companies and governments need to take to deploy responsible AI. With so many organizations and governments currently working in silos to address and solve similar problems, this event is aimed to help global government and industry leaders better collaborate with each other.

How to get the most of this event

This inaugural event plans to draw more than 800 thought leaders from government, technology, business, science and civil society to explore how AI, intelligent automation, and cognitive technologies will change our world going forward. The conference will address current best practices around data, social and political issues and considerations, identify deployment and research priorities, and recommend solutions for policy. There will be three days of high-quality content with compelling & informative speakers as well as opportunities to network and connect with fellow like-minded individuals. Be sure to stop by the expo hall to get a deeper dive into what the various AI vendors are working on. The AI Today podcast, one of the top 5 podcasts on the topic of AI, will also be recording live at the show, with interesting guests and content. Attendees looking to register should do so before June 7, 2019 as registration discounts expire by that date.